This content highlights the extraordinary career of tennis legend Serena Williams. It discusses significant achievements such as winning her first Grand Slam title at just 17, holding all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously, and winning the ‘Golden Slam’ in both singles and doubles. It also recognizes Serena’s record-breaking talent, with the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles among active players. The piece further illustrates her resilience, battling through a high-risk pregnancy, illness, and injury to return to top form, and her impact, earning accolades such as four Laureus Sportswoman of the Year awards.
1. Winning the First Grand Slam Title
Serena Williams’ career started early, and her first significant accomplishment came in 1999 when she secured her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. At just 17 years old, Williams beat the world No. 1 Martina Hingis in the final. This victory made her the second African American woman to claim a Grand Slam title and the first to win the US Open since Althea Gibson in 1958. This was a telling sign of her extraordinary talent and future successes.
2. Holding all Four Grand Slam Titles Simultaneously
In 2002-2003, Serena Williams achieved an incredibly rare feat known as the ‘Serena Slam,’ where she held all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously. Winning the French Open, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open in 2002 and the Australian Open in 2003 signaled her complete dominance in women’s tennis.
3. Winning the Golden Slam in Singles and Doubles
Getting an Olympic medal is an achievement on its own, but Serena Williams went a step ahead. She achieved the rare ‘Golden Slam’ by winning all the four Grand Slam Titles and an Olympic gold medal in singles. Furthermore, she won the doubles ‘Golden Slam’ with her sister Venus Williams in 2012 – an achievement unmatched in tennis history.
4. Most Grand Slam Titles in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles Combined Among Active Players
With 23 Major singles titles, 14 in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles, Serena Williams holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles among active players. This feat showcases the breadth of her talent in the various forms of tennis.
5. The Longest Span of Grand Slam Titles
Serena Williams’ first Grand Slam title came in 1999, and her most recent was in 2017. This 18 year-long span of winning Grand Slam titles is a testament to her enduring talent, consistency, and determination. It is not just the quantity of her achievements, but the longevity of her success that is truly special.
6. Returning to Tennis After High-Risk Pregnancy
In 2017, Serena Williams announced her pregnancy, and during which she encountered numerous complications that posed a health risk to her and her baby. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries after delivering her baby, she made a comeback to the tennis court in 2018. Although she didn’t win any Grand Slam titles, her participation was a testament to her resilience and passion for the sport.
7. Record Ranking
In February 2013, Serena Williams became the oldest woman to be ranked No. 1 since computer rankings began in November 1975. She set this record at 31 years and four months, breaking the record of Chris Evert who was 30 years and 11 months. Serena again became world No.1 in 2015, strengthening her record.
8. Overcoming Illness and Injury
In 2011, Williams had been sidelined with a series of health problems, including foot surgery and blood clots. Faced with significant physical struggles and a plummeting ranking, Serena battled back to clinch the Wimbledon title in 2012, marking one of the most inspirational comebacks in sports history.
9. Bagging Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Awards
Serena Williams won the prestigious Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award four times. Her incredible talent, combined with her drive and tenacity, has made her one of the most recognized and celebrated female athletes in the world.
10. Career Golden Grand Slam in Doubles
In addition to her impressive singles results, Serena has also had an exceptional doubles career, primarily partnering with her sister Venus. Together, they have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals (2000, 2008, and 2012), achieving a career ‘Golden Grand Slam’ in doubles, a record they share.